Spacecraft Materials & Processes Engineer

Socket.dev; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Base Salary + Equity‑Based

Highly Competitive PTO

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision

Performance‑Based Bonus Structure

Job summary

Space Kinetic seeks a Materials and Processes Engineer to act as a core technical authority for spacecraft mechanisms and flight hardware, collaborating with design, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to ensure materials and processes meet launch and space environment requirements.

You will support design reviews and qualification programs, guiding material selection and process standards across metallics, composites, and coatings, while leading investigations into anomalies to drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical discipline.
• 3–7 years of materials and processes experience in spaceflight or high‑reliability hardware.
• Experience with aerospace metallics (Al, Ti, SS, high-strength alloys).
• Experience with structural composites and carbon-fiber layups.
• Experience with thermal‑control hardware and materials.
• Hands‑on experience investigating manufacturing anomalies and non‑conformances.

Responsibilities

• Guide designers on material selection and space-environment risks.
• Author and approve drawings, specifications, and procedures for aerospace standards.
• Plan and execute qualification programs for materials and processes.
• Coordinate with internal laboratories and external vendors to characterize materials.
• Support PDR, CDR, MRR with M&P risk assessments and actionable recommendations.
• Manage M&P verification activities and ensure materials are approved before flight assembly.
• Support Material Review Board with technical dispositions for non-conformances.
• Lead destructive and non-destructive failure investigations and identify root causes.

Skills

Bachelors in Materials Sci

3–7 years experience

Aerospace metallics

Composites and carbon fiber

Thermal-control hardware

Root-cause investigations

Education

Bachelors in Materials Science and Engineering

Job description

Space Kinetic seeks a Materials and Processes Engineer to act as a core technical authority for spacecraft mechanisms and flight hardware, collaborating with design, manufacturing, quality, and test teams to ensure materials and processes meet launch and space environment requirements.

You will support design reviews and qualification programs, guiding material selection and process standards across metallics, composites, and coatings, while leading investigations into anomalies to drive